Hey beautiful 

Whatever haooens your not alone. Please keep posting. You got this ok. Your stronger than you fee ️

Hello

I'm awaiting an ultrasound for a raised neck lymph node, I've been referred on the 2 week pathway, after waiting and watching for 4 weeks.  I had a telephone assessment yesterday with ENT and I'm feeling so scared, I feel so anxious that I sense that I can't swallow, this came on suddenly (I've had this on occasion before when highly stressed). I don't have any signs of infection

xx.  
 

Hi Riley,

It's not the best time to sell, but I'm way past retirement age, so I need to get rid. I continue to contribute to this forum, because I got such excellent support when I was first diagnosed 11 years ago.

I love to garden too. If the weather was as good all the time as it was last week, then it would be no bother, but the temperature all this week has dropped cosiderably and more frost is forecast. I potted on a lot of seedlings last weekend and still have plenty more to do, so I'm hoping that it doesn't get much colder. They're still in the greenhouse at the moment, but it's getting somewhat overcrowded. I hope that your weekend passes quickly.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hey everyone 

so post appointment it was onlt 4mm my lymph node so not even enlarged?! But anyways I've said I want ful removal of the node for my peace of mind so booked in for that I really pushed to have this done. Then I'll get full peace of mind once and for all, hoping the size means it cannot be cancer if it's only 4mm? just praying it's all good news after I get it out xx

Emily, did the ENT doctor provide reassurance and confirmed the diagnosis based on the ultrasound.  I can imagine you are feeling a little relieved that there's an agreement to remove the lymph node, were you given a timeframe for this?  Xx

That's so kind Jolamine and it is very appreciated. 
I know what you mean about the weather, it's so chilly, the heating is on and I'm wearing a scarf (I work from home and it's essential for cooler days like these). I have a few plants to go in the garden but the ground has been rock hard, we definitely need the rain for a little while. Xx

Yes he said that it really couldn't be sinister it's so small and my constant poking at it makes it seem bigger than it really is! The ultrasound can pick up size and any malignant features but you know health anxiety I'm like it still could come back as cancer but if it's 4mm cancer it's the smallest cancer ever and only I would get it xx

I'm just really happy to have it out and to stop fiddling with it all the time will be a great way to feel better! Still really scared though xx 

Do you mind asking what size it felt like to the touch, I can imagine that parameters can feel blurred when it's irritated? The waiting is so tough, isn't it? It feels like being in limbo and everything is on pause xx

I'd say it feels like a pea size!  Or like a small jewellery bead and it's quite soft sometimes gets hard the more I irritate it. The waiting is awful but I'm just glad it's not very big as I had thought and like once I have it taken out I can start to move on whatever the outcome but I'm hoping good I really am Xx 

I really hope you're ok! I know when you wake up first thing in the morning you feel awful it's the toughest time for me it really hits me like this thing is still in my neck xx 

Thank you Emily

irs a lovely blue sky out my window and that makes me smile. I am trying hard not to get too anxious, although I recognise that I do have a few moments during the day. How are you feeling after the news yesterday, it sounds very promising?  I would say my lymph is about 1cm, but maybe not consistently so. I have stopped prodding it, as it seems to react to touch.  The ultrasound is a week today and it will be another week until I have the ENT follow up telephone appointment. Xx

Thank you Emily

irs a lovely blue sky out my window and that makes me smile. I am trying hard not to get too anxious, although I recognise that I do have a few moments during the day. How are you feeling after the news yesterday, it sounds very promising?  I would say my lymph is about 1cm, but maybe not consistently so. I have stopped prodding it, as it seems to react to touch.  The ultrasound is a week today and it will be another week until I have the ENT follow up telephone appointment. Xx

It's lovely and sunny here too! it's such a nice day and I have two days off after tomorrow so I'm really excited for that:) but I'm feeling ok I have my moments throughout the day where I worry so much. But 4mm has to be good? Im just trying really hard to not think badly and just can't wait for the lymph node to be removed from my neck!! Please let me know how everything goes with you Xx 

Hey! 
checking in to see how things are going?? My anxiety is back again and really bad about my lymph node. 

Hi Emily 

Bless you, it sounded more positive following your consultation with the ENT doctor, if you can try to stay focused on that. Did they say when you will hear about the surgery? I have the ultrasound later this afternoon, I'm hoping and praying for positive news xx 

No news from the biopsy date yet still thinking the worst think I've had more time to think and it's not helped me at all! Keep constantly touching it and making it swell! Lots of luck today at the ultrasound let me know how it goes please xx

Hi Emily 

I'm back home and emotionally exhausted. The ultrasound showed several lymph nodes but all very small in size, the one of concern measured 2mm. I was told that all nodes looked in the normal range and it was common for nodes to stay up once raised. I feel absolutely over the moon. This is unlikely to require any further intervention other than the follow up with the ENT doctor next week. I think we should both feel assured, sending love and prayers xxx

Oh Riley!! I'm so so over the moon for you!! 2mm is so so small!! So happy for you. That's such amazing news. What did they say about them staying raised? Apparently my mum said the one I have has been with me since a child and I was always very sick and it would always come up! Guessing it's been with me for life and I've just over thought it. Xx

Hi Riley,

I'm delighted to hear that nothing untoward showed up on ultrasound and hope that all goes well with the ENT specialist next week.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Emily 

The radiographer said that that some lymph nodes are raised during infection or a virus and stay up. He said that they usually investigate further if the node becomes painful, red in colour or increases in size. During the ultrasound they assess the architecture of the lymph's around the neck, checking for certain characteristics, they only consider further intervention if the node  measures on the ultrasound or 10mm/1cm or more. Its interesting that I had several show up, but they are not detectable to touch alone. Apparently this is common after a virus or infection.  I think we both should be reassured by this, I asked a lot of questions. Try to stay positive and reach out anytime xx

Thank you Jolamine and for all your support over the last weeks. Have you had the results of your liver ultrasound as yet. Please let us know how that goes, sending love and prayers xx

That's made me feel so much better that some can just stay raised! I use to have repeated infections and my mum said the raised one now  would always come up in my neck guessing it's one that's just stuck around but I'm just so worried!